Religious advertising BANNED?

We've all seen the guy at every football game holding up the "John 3:16" sign. Somehow he alway manages to get himself in front of a camera at some
point during every game of the year. A group of Christians wanted to encourage people to actually find out what that meant but FOX refused to run
their ad.

FOX Rejects “John 3:16” Super Bowl Ad

As FOX Network puts the finishing touches on its advertisement lineup for the February 6th Super Bowl — arguably as popular a part of the evening as
the game itself — one thing is certain: just about any thing will be permissible in the way of sex, sleaze, and crude humor. Apparently, however,
one type of ad will not be permitted: those promoting positive values and faith in God.

Following last year’s media furor over a Focus on the Family-sponsored pro-life spot during the Super Bowl featuring Christian football phenomenon
Tim Tebow (left) and his mother, FOX has put the kibosh on wholesome advocacy ads with the potential of offending any viewer with an opposing
viewpoint.

But after Fixed Point had worked for months to shoot the spot and raise the millions needed to air it, FOX pulled the plug, explaining in a prepared
statement: “As a matter of company policy, Fox Broadcasting Company does not accept advertising from religious organizations for the purpose of
advancing particular beliefs or practices. The Fixed Point Foundation was provided with our guidelines prior to their submission of storyboards for
our review. Upon examination, the advertising submitted clearly delivers a religious message and as a result has been rejected.”

Here's the ad that was too controversial for the network that showed Janet Jackson's bare breast during a halftime show:

In a society like ours today, it is OK to run ads selling anything you could imagine but, when it comes to advocating a belief system, they close the
door in your face? Would they treat a group of atheists asking people to embrace reason the same, or how about a Muslim group, would they be afraid to
Not run their ad?

I know they are a private company and are free to do whatever they wish but, isn't this going overboard?

I wonder if this is really about the fact that the ad is NOT seeking money. Do they have a policy that says that advertising is only allowed if its
used to sell something? Maybe they believe that commercials should only deal in commerce and with no profits involved, the advertisement can't
possibly be for real.

It could be because many "christian" religions are staring to erase their tracks. The "trinity" concept is changing in many churches now. It is
falling apart. And esp. John 3:16 which declares Jesus as the only begotten son. Some xtian churches are now beginning to admit that the concept was
incorrectly influenced by Augustine. Go figure.

If they paid for the spot, what's the problem? as long as the slot is paid for who cares what is aired. I can find lots of things on other
commercials that I can say offend me. I'm sure, Atheists , and non christans are not gonna lose a night of sleep simply because they saw that.

I'm not very religious myself, and to be honest, if something like that is going to emotionally bother someone then those someones have some serious
problems.

I can't believe they are hiding this "religious" message!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally posted by FortAnthem

We've all seen the guy at every football game holding up the "John 3:16" sign. Somehow he alway manages to get himself in front of a camera at some
point during every game of the year. A group of Christians wanted to encourage people to actually find out what that meant but FOX refused to run
their ad.

FOX Rejects “John 3:16” Super Bowl Ad

Can you believe they won't run this Christian and religious message?!!!!!

I kinda wish I could be outraged.

Gg

As FOX Network puts the finishing touches on its advertisement lineup for the February 6th Super Bowl — arguably as popular a part of the evening as
the game itself — one thing is certain: just about any thing will be permissible in the way of sex, sleaze, and crude humor. Apparently, however,
one type of ad will not be permitted: those promoting positive values and faith in God.

Following last year’s media furor over a Focus on the Family-sponsored pro-life spot during the Super Bowl featuring Christian football phenomenon
Tim Tebow (left) and his mother, FOX has put the kibosh on wholesome advocacy ads with the potential of offending any viewer with an opposing
viewpoint.

But after Fixed Point had worked for months to shoot the spot and raise the millions needed to air it, FOX pulled the plug, explaining in a prepared
statement: “As a matter of company policy, Fox Broadcasting Company does not accept advertising from religious organizations for the purpose of
advancing particular beliefs or practices. The Fixed Point Foundation was provided with our guidelines prior to their submission of storyboards for
our review. Upon examination, the advertising submitted clearly delivers a religious message and as a result has been rejected.”

Here's the ad that was too controversial for the network that showed Janet Jackson's bare breast during a halftime show:

In a society like ours today, it is OK to run ads selling anything you could imagine but, when it comes to advocating a belief system, they close the
door in your face? Would they treat a group of atheists asking people to embrace reason the same, or how about a Muslim group, would they be afraid to
Not run their ad?

I know they are a private company and are free to do whatever they wish but, isn't this going overboard?

I wonder if this is really about the fact that the ad is NOT seeking money. Do they have a policy that says that advertising is only allowed if its
used to sell something? Maybe they believe that commercials should only deal in commerce and with no profits involved, the advertisement can't
possibly be for real.

It could be because many "christian" religions are staring to erase their tracks. The "trinity" concept is changing in many churches now. It is
falling apart. And esp. John 3:16 which declares Jesus as the only begotten son. Some xtian churches are now beginning to admit that the concept was
incorrectly influenced by Augustine. Go figure.

At least their local FOX affiliate isn't infected with the same PC insanity as the national FOX broadcasters and this group will at least be able to
get their message out locally.

While the Alabama-based group won’t be able to air the ad nationally, it is planning to run it locally on Birmingham’s Alabama’s FOX
affiliate, during the time the network reserves for local advertising. “We believe that Super Bowl XLV is an opportunity to encourage football fans
to look up John 3:16,” Fixed Point said on its website. “After all, John 3:16 is part of the culture of football,” referring to the number of
football players, such as Tim Tebow, who have taken to wearing the scripture reference on their eye black, as well as the longtime tradition of fans
in the seats holding large signs bearing the phrase “John 3:16.”

Said Taunton, “We want to generate a conversation about what this verse means and does it offer authentic hope — which I think it does.”

Although, if the MSM picks up on this story, they might get even more attention than if they HAD run the Super Bowl ad. Then again, who wants to bet
the MSM ignores this one completely and it only gets attention on Christian and conservative web sites?

I'd be willing to bet FOX won't bother to cover this one, seing as how it casts them in a negative light. Even the reliable FOX bashers may choose
to let this one be so as not to further any religious agendas.

Jesus Christ assured us that we can live in a world that fulfills our deepest longings. For he taught that God loves this world he has created, even
though it has veered off its intended path. More than that, he said that God has always planned to set this world back on course.

So how will God do it? It should be obvious that solving this problem must involve justice. God is good. So if people wrong others, they will
have to answer for that. But then, that means all of us will be brought to justice in some degree, since we have all wronged others. Worse still, we
have all wronged God.

But is ultimate justice a good thing? Yes. For there would be no real hope without it. Justice is as essential to a real hope for this world
as laws and judges are to the peace of a city. Imagine the Super Bowl being played without sidelines or referees. Our wrongs are not like a fistful
of balloons that a child releases into the air and never sees again. We will have to answer for them. And this is a good thing. For if our thoughts
and actions don’t matter in the end, then we don’t matter.

You have to wonder about an organization, though, that would willingly choose to spend millions on a commercial over feeding hungry kids.

I'm guessing that they believe that, if people were to embrace Christianity, they would become more charitable and more likely to give assistance to
the needy. By getting their message out to the largest possible audience, they are increasing the possibility that more people will embrace Christian
principals and help their fellow man.

I've always found that argument (why not use the money to feed the hungry?) to be a non-sequitur. Who are you to judge how someone else spends their
money? Why is it always necessary to provide false alternatives in order to argue against something?

For all you know, this organization may give plenty of money to the poor and the investment in the Super Bowl commercial may be just a small part of
their assets. You should also keep in mind that Christians view the salvation of souls to be their primary mission as the soul is immortal and its
salvation has eternal consequences. Feeding the poor only has temporal effects and tomorrow, the poor will be hungry again.

Life is only a temporary condition and, when all is said and done, the level of comfort we had in this life may seem inconsequential once we pass on
and have to answer for the way we lived our lives for all eternity. A soul burning in hell won't stop to think "hey, at least I wasn't hungry while
I lived", it will only regret that it hadn't lived a better life in order to have avoided its current predicament.

This is not a non-seq at all unless you're attempting to defend it when it does not even need defending. That they choose advertising to prosthelytize
rather than to be charitable is clearly and entirely up to them. That goes without saying. That I choose to find this perverse is entirely my opinion
based on my own values. I find flagrant displays of religion offensive, provocative, and inflammatory and believe that they backfire more often than
do any real good. The money would be better spent elsewhere. This is akin to throwing it away.

I'm pretty sure that FOX would refuse to run an ad promoting atheism, or an ad encouraging to "look up the contradictory parts of the bible" instead
of "John 3:16", as all the poor Christians would be offended. It just makes sense that a religious ad gets the same treatment.

By your logic: Why advertise for Viagra when they can use that money to feed the poor? Or why the beer ads or worse yet; those disgusting political
ads

when the money could be used for the needy.

We can always find a better use for someone else's money. IMO, the best use it to give it me, I promise to spend it wisely

. I also have a bridge
in Brooklyn if anyone is interested...

I too am often turned off by a lot of religious advertising. Much of it is WAY to preachy and I can see why people would find it annoying. This ad
comes off as much more subtle than most and I think it is well done. It invites people to satisfy their curiosity and doesn't demand compliance or
threaten fire and brimstone for those who reject its message.

By my logic? We expect nothing more and nothing less of product advertisers who are in it for financial gain. Religion is a whole other story...at
least to me. And I spend plenty of my own money and time feeding people , helping them get healthcare or a place to live. Some people apparently just
have too much money. Bet those millions were somehow tax deductible too.

Apparently, however, one type of ad will not be permitted: those promoting positive values and faith in God.

I literally LOL'd at that one. "Positive values"??!? Have you read the Bible lately?

Following last year’s media furor over a Focus on the Family-sponsored pro-life spot during the Super Bowl featuring Christian football phenomenon
Tim Tebow (left) and his mother, FOX has put the kibosh on wholesome advocacy ads with the potential of offending any viewer with an opposing
viewpoint.

Oh now I understand.... "Focus on the Family" oh all right I get it.

In a society like ours today, it is OK to run ads selling anything you could imagine but, when it comes to advocating a belief system, they close the
door in your face?

Advocating a belief system like jailing or killing certain people (or just a hatred for a certain group of people)?

I too am often turned off by a lot of religious advertising. Much of it is WAY to preachy and I can see why people would find it annoying. This ad
comes off as much more subtle than most and I think it is well done. It invites people to satisfy their curiosity and doesn't demand compliance or
threaten fire and brimstone for those who reject its message.

It is against longstanding policy to advertise religion during the national spots of the Superbowl.

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